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Consider this: Some programs field a team nearly a third the size of the school's entire population, which usually hovers around 300 students.

That on its own would worry any coach on any level at any program. That doesn't tell half of the story, however, for St. Joseph coach Frank Andrea.

"I think part of it will depend on this season," he said. "It won't help us for this season, but it should in the future."

Just in case constant change, a new district and a cast of new faces wasn't enough, the Flashes are dealing with something even more worrisome this season: pressure.

Two seasons ago, the program appreciated its most successful signing class in history, sending five players to play in college, including two to Football Subdivision Programs. The team went 9-2 as well. All of that triggered a response that Andrea welcomed in his first season.

The team was able to field a junior varsity team at the start of the year and ride that momentum right out of the gate.

What followed was a 5-5 campaign that took some players unfairly by surprise. Simply said, their expectations were not realistic. The response to that has been decidedly less positive.

"I wonder if people don't like football sometimes," senior Matt Corrigan said. "I think if we do better this year, people will come out next year. If we don't, I don't know."

Three freshmen came out to practice. Three. That's not enough to carry water to half of the starting squad.

Andrea said there's no reason to be concerned just yet, however. Amid all of the change, there's something new that players are enjoying this year.

For one, Andrea is back on the sidelines. Enough can't be said of that. This senior class has labored through four coaches in four seasons.

While Andrea did switch out the team's offense and defenses in the offseason, at least he did so from an educated standpoint.

"It feels like he's actually building a program and not just he's here for the year and seeing how it goes," senior quarterback Mike Ryan said. "He's here for the program."

The second change is the district. The Flashes floated for two seasons as an independent before joining District 2-2A this year.

The difference should be felt immediately. Even the team that went 9-2 and played a bowl game at the end of the season was left with an undefined feeling at the end of its run.

"Love it," Andrea said. "Last year, we were just worrying about the opponent in front of us. That's all you could do. I think it's great for these guys. ... Now we can think about taking care of business but it also gives them something to look forward to."

Ryan agreed.

"We have a much better outlook on the season. They're much more excited this year, you can see it right away. There's much more purpose about them."

There's no question sprinkling some hope into the pot has helped St. Joseph tackle this season head on.

Aside from the future, which will be directly impacted by the present, the Flashes hope to enjoy success and possibly do something that hasn't been done since 2005: reach the playoffs.

"We want to make the playoffs," Corrigan said. "It would be great to win a district and do all of that this year."

Getting there will look very different. The Flashes ditched the double wing-T offense and put into motion the wishbone option.

"(We're) letting the cat out of the bag. We've been holding back but now it's time," Andrea said.

"... Paul Johnson loved the flex-bone option because of one reason: He was a defensive coordinator, much like I was. And it's the hardest offense to plan against because you're never doing the same thing."

It looked good in the preseason, with St. Joseph controlling the ball and the game in a 14-2 win over Pierson-Taylor -- a team that beat them 40-20 last season.

Also the defense has changed, turning into a 3-5 setup that employs plenty of movement and confusion.

All of this, Andrea said, is done to level the playing field and make the most of his players.

"As a coach it helps (returning for a second year) because now I know what a boy can and can't do," Andrea said.

"You want to put them in a situation where you can be successful so that really helps. And hopefully as a head coach you want to be a calming force because everyone wants to pull everyone in different directions."